Weather and Traffic

Free HIV testing available today in Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast

Planned Parenthood in South Florida is offering free HIV testing today at four locations.

“Many times people cannot afford the cost of an STD test and since Florida continues to lead the nation in new HIV infections, this is a great opportunity to get tested,” said Christina Noce, spokeswoman for the organization.

Testing is available at three locations until 5 p.m.:

Stuart Health Center at 1322 NW Federal Highway in Stuart.

West Palm Beach Health Center at 931 Village Boulevard, Suite 904 in West Palm Beach.

HIV rates have been on the uptick in South Florida in recent years. Miami has had the second highest new rate of infection in the nation.

One reason, health officials say, is that the disease is no longer a death sentence but manageable through medication.

In a story last year, the Palm Beach Post reported that the increase is a dating landscape dominated by social hookup apps are not helping matters.

“These sites are just meant to hook up and have anonymous sex, and that is very, very risky,” said Dr. Alina Alonso, director of Palm Beach County’s Health Department for the story. “You have no idea what you’re getting or who you are getting, and those are just another component of the risky behavior that is occurring.”